Rapper Rick Ross is convinced Lil Wayne will bounce back from his impending jail stint, insisting prison time will inspire him musically.

The Lollipop hit-maker, real name Dwayne Carter, faces up to 10 months behind bars after pleading guilty to criminal weapons possession charges in court on Thursday, but his pal insists the sentence, due in February, will not end the hip-hop star's high-flying career.

Ross feels sure Lil Wayne will use his time behind bars to work on new material and reflect.

He says, "Wayne's got enough music. He's one of the few artists I feel could eat those 10 months up... and then come home to rap royalty. If anybody is gonna be able to do it, it's gonna be Wayne. This is (going) to take him to a whole (other) creative point. To have time to sit down... I can imagine how many records and choruses he's gonna write."

"Knowing Wayne, he's gonna release a mix-tape from behind bars. He'll be right back with a new energy and he'll have the streets excited. People are going to want to hear what he has to say."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)